Disk oil slinger assembly

ABSTRACT

A “splash” lubrication system having an oil slinger capable of providing an increased flow rate of lubricating and cooling oil to lubricated components of the system compared to conventional dip stick oil slingers while reducing oil atomization and oil loss through the crankcase vent is disclosed. In embodiments of the invention, the oil slinger is comprised of a disk coupled to the crankshaft assembly of the device being lubricated (e.g., an engine, pump, compressor, or the like) so that rotation of the crankshaft assembly rotates the disk for splashing lubricating oil from the crankcase&#39;s oil sump onto the moving parts of the device being lubricated by the lubricating system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of oillubrication devices for engines, compressors, pumps and the like, andmore particularly to a disk oil slinger suitable for use in oillubricated engines, compressors, pumps, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Typically, lower cost oil lubricated engines, compressors, pumpsand the like have employed a “splash” lubrication system to distributeoil from the oil sump to the mechanical bearings, seals, valves, pistonsand other parts that require lubrication and oil cooling. A smallprotruding piece of material or “dip stick” is attached to one or moreof the moving components such that during each revolution of thecrankshaft, the dip stick dips into the oil sump at sufficient velocityto cause oil to splash onto the components requiring lubrication.

[0003] The size, shape and velocity of the dip stick must be engineeredto assure sufficient lubrication and oil cooling for all componentswhile minimizing atomization of the oil in the crankcase so as to reduceoil loss through the crankcase vent. A higher velocity or larger profiledip stick will improve lubrication and oil cooling but will increase oilatomization and oil loss through the crankcase vent. A less aggressivedip stick velocity or profile will reduce lubrication and oil coolingbut also reduce oil loss through the vent. These conflicting phenomenarequire designers to compromise their design by reducing the positivebenefits of lubrication and oil cooling in order to reduce the negativeeffects of oil loss.

[0004] Another problem with such traditional splash oil lubricationsystems is that the engines, compressors, pumps, and the like in whichsuch systems are used are employed in portable devices (e.g.,compressors, generators, pressure washers, etc.) that are regularlymoved by hand from one work site to another. If such portable devicesare not properly leveled prior to operation, the dip stick splashlubricator may not reach the oil sump causing a lack of neededlubrication and cooling, possibly leading to subsequent componentfailure.

[0005] Consequently, it would be advantageous to provide a “splash”lubrication system designed to increase the flow rate of lubricating andcooling oil to lubricated components while reducing oil atomization andoil loss through the crankcase vent. Further, it would be desirable toprovide such a lubrication system that is capable of functioningproperly while the crankcase is tilted providing an increased toleranceof operation on non-level surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a “splash”lubrication system having an oil slinger capable of providing anincreased flow rate of lubricating and cooling oil to lubricatedcomponents of the system compared to conventional dip stick oil slingerswhile reducing oil atomization and oil loss through the crankcase vent.In embodiments of the invention, the oil slinger is comprised of a diskcoupled to the crankshaft assembly of the device being lubricated (e.g.,an engine, pump, compressor, or the like) so that rotation of thecrankshaft assembly rotates the disk for splashing lubricating oil fromthe crankcase's oil sump onto components of the device being lubricated.Preferably, at least a portion of the oil slinger is continuouslysubmerged in the lubricating oil contained in the oil sump as it isrotated by the crankshaft assembly, thereby decreasing atomization ofoil from the oil sump. Further, the oil slinger may be designed toremain at least partially submerged in the oil sump even if thecrankcase is tilted providing increased tolerance of operation onnon-level surfaces.

[0007] It is to be understood that both the forgoing general descriptionand the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatoryonly and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. Theaccompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a partof the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention andtogether with the general description, serve to explain the principlesof the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The numerous advantages of the present invention may be betterunderstood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanyingfigures in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a lubrication system inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view illustrating the oil slinger ofthe lubrication system shown in FIG. 1;

[0011]FIGS. 3 and 4 are side elevational views illustrating tilting ofthe crankcase;

[0012]FIG. 5 is an isometric view illustrating a shaped disk oil slingerhaving edge and/or surface features in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 6 is an isometric view illustrating an auger oil slinger inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0014]FIG. 7 is an isometric view illustrating an oil slinger inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention whereinthe oil slinger is not a continuous disk.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, an exemplary “splash”lubrication system suitable for providing lubrication to the movingcomponents of devices such as engines, compressors, pumps, and the likein accordance with the present invention is described. The lubricationsystem 100 includes an oil sump 102 formed in the crankcase 104 of thedevice 106 in which the lubrication system 100 is employed and an oilslinger 108 coupled to the device's crankshaft assembly 110.

[0017] In one preferred embodiment, the oil slinger 108 is comprised ofa continuous disk 112 attached to the crankshaft assembly 110. Rotationof the crankshaft assembly 110 rotates the disk for splashinglubricating oil 114 from the oil sump 102 onto components of the device108 being lubricated (e.g., crankshaft assembly 110, journal 116, piston118, cylinder wall 120, and the like). Preferably, the disk 112 ispositioned along the crankshaft immediately adjacent to journal 116 sothat oil may be slung from the oil sump 102 onto the piston 118 andcylinder wall 120. For instance, in one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1 and2, the disk 112 is bolted to a counterweight 122 of the crankshaftassembly 108 so that it is centered coaxially with the center ofrotation 124 of the crankshaft assembly 110. The disk 112 may have anaperture 126 sized and shaped to fit over the crankshaft assembly 110 sothat the disk 112 and crankshaft assembly 110 may be assembled together.However, it will be appreciated that other fabrication methods may beemployed without departing from the scope and spirit of the presentinvention. For example, the disk 112 may be formed as an integral partof the crankshaft assembly 110, or the crankshaft assembly 110 may beformed in two or more sections which are joined together around the disk112, thereby clamping the disk 112 in place.

[0018] During operation of the device 106, rotation of the crankshaftassembly 110 rotates the oil slinger 108 for splashing lubricating oil114 from the oil sump 102 onto components of the device 106 beinglubricated (e.g., crankshaft assembly 110, journal 116, piston 118,cylinder wall 120, and the like). As shown, the disk 112 of oil slinger108 is generally centered coaxially with the center of rotation 124 ofthe crankshaft assembly 110 so that rotation of the crankshaft assembly110 causes the disk 112 to rotate 360 degrees about the center ofrotation of the crankshaft 124. Thus, during operation, the lowerportion of disk 112 is continuously submerged in lubricating oil 114contained in the oil sump 102. Because the disk 112 remains in the oil114 instead of cyclically entering and exiting the oil 114, as does aconventional dip stick or dipper oil slinger, the volume of oil 114 inthe oil sump 102 that the disk 112 displaces does not change during eachrevolution of the crankshaft 110. Further, the oil slinger 108, being acontinuous disk 112, does not have a high speed advancing edge that mustpass through the lubricating oil 114 as do dipper slingers. Thus, theflow of lubricating oil 114 over the surface of the oil slinger 108 asit advances through the oil sump 102 is substantially more laminar thanis possible with intermittent dipper slingers. As a result, the disk oilslinger 108 of the present invention is capable of moving lubricatingoil 114 about the crankcase 104 with substantially less atomization ofthe oil 114.

[0019] The amount of oil flow generated by an oil slinger isproportional to the surface area of the submerged portion of theslinger, and proportional to the amount of time that the slinger issubmerged during each revolution of the crankshaft. Because the lowerportion of disk oil slinger 108 is continuously submerged in thelubricating oil 114 contained in the oil sump 102, and the submergedsurface area of the disk 112 is substantially larger than that of thedipper of a dipper oil slinger, the oil flow rate of disk oil slinger108 of the present invention is significantly greater than that of anintermittent dipper slinger. For example, lubrication systems 100 inaccordance with the present invention have been found to be capable ofproviding oil flows that are 50 to 100 times greater than lubricationsystems utilizing dipper slingers, while at the same time reducingatomization of the lubricating oil 114 from the oil sump 102.

[0020] Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the device 106 shown in FIGS. 1 and2 is illustrated as being tilted at an angle to the horizontal, forexample, as if it were set on a non-level surface. As shown, when thecrankcase 104 is tilted, the surface of the lubricating oil 114 in oilsump 102 remains substantially horizontal. As shown, the disk 112 of oilslinger 108 is generally centered coaxially with the center of rotation124 of the crankshaft assembly 110 so that rotation of the crankshaftassembly 110 causes the disk 112 to rotate 360 degrees about the centerof rotation of the crankshaft 124. As a result, the disk 112 remains atleast partially submerged in the oil sump 102 if the crankcase 104 istilted providing an increased tolerance to unit operation on non-levelsurfaces. It will be appreciated that the degree of tilt (α) toleratedby lubrication system 100 may vary depending on the design of crankcase104, and is limited only by the possibility of lubricating oil 114 fromthe oil sump 102 entering cylinder 118. However, it is contemplated thatdegrees of tilt (α) of up to or even greater than 90 degrees (i.e., thecrankcase 102 is tilted on its side) are possible.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 5, a shaped oil slinger for a lubricationsystem in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention isdescribed. Shaped oil slinger 128 is comprised of a disk 130 includingan edge portion 132 shaped for generating additional oil flow and/or fordirecting the oil flow at angles to the side of the disk 130, therebydistributing the oil more uniformly within the crankcase thanconventional dipper type lubrication systems. Further, the edge portion132 may be shaped so that it is capable of providing such advantageswithout unnecessarily interrupting the laminar flow of the lubricatingoil around the disk 130, thus preventing unnecessary atomization oflubricating oil from the oil sump (see FIG. 1). For instance, in theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, edge portion 132 may be formed so as to havea contour that is generally sinusoidal or curvilinear in shape as viewedalong an edge of the disk 130. Alternately, edge portion 132 may beshaped to have other contours such as fins, slots, grooves, or the like,depending on the requirements of the particular application in which thelubrication system is employed.

[0022] In addition to (or in place of) shaped edge portion 132, features134 may be formed on the surfaces of either or both sides of disk 130for providing additional oil flow and/or for directing the oil flow atlateral angles to the disk 130. It will be appreciated that the shape ofsuch surface features 134 may vary depending on the requirements(desired oil flow rate, splash pattern, etc.) of the particular devicein which the lubrication system is employed. However, exemplary surfacefeatures 134 include circumferential or spiraled ridges or grooves(shown), spaced bumps, indentations, or slots, vanes, and the like.Additionaly, surface features 134 may be shaped so they do not createunnecessary turbulence thereby interrupting the substantially laminarflow of lubricating oil around the disk 130 and increasing atomizationof lubricating oil from the oil sump (see FIG. 1).

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 6, an auger oil slinger in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Oil slinger136 is comprised of a disk 138 having a slit 140 radially formed thereinfrom edge portion 142 toward the disk center 144. The ends 146 & 148 ofedge portion 142 adjacent to the slit 140 are separated laterally sothat edge portion 142 assumes a generally spiral shape. In this manner,disk 138 is formed into a simple auger capable of generatingsubstantially greater oil flow than the dip stick slingers ofconventional dipper lubrication systems. The spiral shape of edgeportion 142 may further direct the oil flow at angles to disk 138thereby distributing the oil more uniformly within the crank case andproviding greater coverage of components of the device (see FIG. 1).Because disk 138 remains substantially continuous except for leading andtrailing edges 150 & 152 caused by slit 140, oil flow over the surfaceof the disk 138 is generally laminar. Thus, atomization of lubricatingoil may be held to rates that are substantially equal to or less thanthat of conventional dipper lubrication systems.

[0024] Based on the discussion of the disk oil slingers shown in FIGS. 1through 6, it should now be appreciated that a substantial advantage isobtained by increasing the surface area of the oil slinger so that areaof laminar flow is enlarged. In this manner, cohesion of oil to thesurface of the oil slinger is improved so that the volume of oil“splashed” by the oil slinger as it rotates is increased whileatomization of the oil remains substantially unchanged or is reduced.Thus, it should also be appreciated that in accordance with the presentinvention, lubrication systems may be provided that, while not utilizingcontinuous disk oil slingers, provide enhanced performance compared toconventional “dip stick” or dipper systems by substantially increasingthe surface area of the oil slinger to provide for more laminar flow ofthe lubricating oil over the slinger as it is rotated.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 7, an oil slinger in accordance with suchan alternate embodiment of the present invention is described. Oilslinger 154 is comprised of a sector 156 of the full disk 112 of oilslinger 108 shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, having curvilinear leading andtrailing edges 158 & 160. Preferably, the angle (β) defining sector 156is selected to provide sufficient surface area so that the flow oflubricating oil over the oil slinger 154 as it is rotated issubstantially laminar except for turbulence at leading and trailingedges 158 & 160. In this manner, the volume of oil splashed by the oilslinger 154 is substantially increased compared to conventional dipperoil slingers, while the amount of atomization of lubricating oil remainssubstantially equal to or less than such oil slingers.

[0026] In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the oil slinger 154may be mounted to crankshaft assembly 110, shown in FIG. 1, so that thedisk 112 from which sector 156 is taken would be generally centeredcoaxially with the center of rotation 124 of the crankshaft assembly 110if it were complete. In this manner, rotation of the crankshaft assembly110 causes the oil slinger 154 to rotate 360 degrees about the center ofrotation of the crankshaft 124. As a result, the oil slinger 154 remainscapable of being at least partially submerged in the oil sump 102 as itis rotated even if the crankcase 104 is tilted. In this manner, the oilslinger 154 is capable of providing an increased tolerance to unitoperation on non-level surfaces or in non-level orientations.

[0027] It is contemplated that, employing the principles of theinvention discussed and illustrated herein, those of skill in the artmay now design lubrication systems utilizing oil slingers having a widevariety of shapes (e.g., oval, eccentric, octagonal, etc.) and/or edgeand surface features other than those specifically disclosed.Accordingly, such lubrication systems are considered to be well withinthe scope and spirit of the present invention as presently claimed.Further, it is believed that the lubrication system of the presentinvention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by theforgoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes maybe made in the form, construction and arrangement of the componentsthereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention orwithout sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof. It isthe intention of the following claims to encompass and include suchchanges.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lubrication system for a device having acrankcase housing a crankshaft assembly capable of rotation, comprising:an oil sump suitable for containing lubricating oil for lubricatingmoving components within the crankcase; and an oil slinger coupled tothe crankshaft assembly so that rotation of the crankshaft assemblyrotates the oil slinger for splashing lubricating oil from the oil sump,wherein at least a portion of the oil slinger is continuously submergedin the lubricating oil contained in the oil sump as it is rotated by thecrankshaft assembly.
 2. The lubrication system as claimed in claim 1,wherein the oil slinger is generally disk shaped.
 3. The lubricationsystem as claimed in claim 2, wherein the oil slinger comprises a shapededge portion suitable for at least one of increasing the amount of oilsplashed from the oil sump and directing oil splashed from the oil sumpat an angle to the disk.
 4. The lubrication system as claimed in claim2, wherein the oil slinger comprises surface features suitable for atleast one of increasing the amount of oil splashed from the oil sump anddirecting oil splashed from the oil sump at an angle to the disk.
 5. Thelubrication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oil slinger iscoaxial with the crankshaft assembly.
 6. The lubrication system asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the oil slinger comprises an auger.
 7. Thelubrication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oil slinger iscapable of extending into lubricating oil contained in the oil sump whenthe crankcase is tilted.
 8. The lubrication system as claimed in claim1, wherein the oil slinger comprises a sector of a disk.
 9. Thelubrication system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sector rotates 360degrees about the center of rotation of the crankshaft assembly so thatthe oil slinger is capable of extending into lubricating oil containedin the oil sump when the crankcase is tilted.
 10. A lubrication system,comprising: an oil sump suitable for containing lubricating oil forlubricating moving components within a crankcase housing a crankshaftassembly so the crankshaft assembly is capable of rotation; and a diskcoaxially coupled to the crankshaft assembly so that rotation of thecrankshaft assembly rotates the disk for splashing lubricating oil fromthe oil sump, wherein at least a portion of the disk is continuouslysubmerged in the lubricating oil contained in the oil sump as it isrotated by the crankshaft assembly.
 11. The lubrication system asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the oil slinger comprises a shaped edgeportion suitable for at least one of increasing the amount of oilsplashed from the oil sump and directing oil splashed from the oil sumpat an angle to the disk.
 12. The lubrication system as claimed in claim10, wherein the oil slinger comprises a surface feature suitable for atleast one of increasing the amount of oil splashed from the oil sump anddirecting oil splashed from the oil sump at an angle to the disk. 13.The lubrication system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the disk iscapable of extending into lubricating oil contained in the oil sump whenthe crankcase is tilted.
 14. The lubrication system as claimed in claim10, wherein the disk is formed into an auger.
 15. A lubrication systemfor a device having a crankcase housing a crankshaft assembly capable ofrotation, comprising: means for containing lubricating oil; and means,coupled to the crankshaft assembly, for splashing lubricating oil fromthe containing means, wherein at least a portion of the splashing meansis continuously submerged in the lubricating oil contained in thecontaining means.
 16. The lubrication system as claimed in claim 15,wherein the splashing means comprises a disk.
 17. The lubrication systemas claimed in claim 16, wherein the splashing means comprises means forincreasing the amount of oil splashed from the containing means.
 18. Thelubrication system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the splashing meanscomprises means for directing the flow of oil away from the disk. 19.The lubrication system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the splashingmeans is capable of extending into lubricating oil contained in thecontaining means when the crankcase is tilted.
 20. The lubricationsystem as claimed in claim 15, wherein splashing means comprises asector of a disk.
 21. The lubrication system as claimed in claim 20,wherein the sector rotates 360 degrees about the center of rotation ofthe crankshaft assembly so that the splashing means is capable ofextending into lubricating oil contained in the containing means whenthe crankcase is tilted.
 22. An oil slinger for a lubrication system,comprising: a disk suitable for being coupled to a crankshaft assemblyso that rotation of the crankshaft assembly rotates the disk forsplashing lubricating oil from an oil sump suitable for containinglubricating oil, wherein at least a portion of the disk is continuouslysubmerged in the lubricating oil contained in the oil sump as it isrotated by the crankshaft assembly.
 23. The oil slinger as claimed inclaim 22, wherein the disk comprises a shaped edge portion suitable forat least one of increasing the amount of oil splashed from the oil sumpand directing oil splashed from the oil sump at an angle to the disk.24. The oil slinger as claimed in claim 22, wherein the disk comprises ashaped edge portion suitable for at least one of increasing the amountof oil splashed from the oil sump and directing oil splashed from theoil sump at an angle to the disk.
 25. The oil slinger as claimed inclaim 22, wherein the disk is formed into an auger.
 26. A device,comprising: a crankcase housing a crankshaft assembly capable ofrotation; an oil sump suitable for containing lubricating oil forlubricating moving components within the crankcase; and an oil slingercoupled to the crankshaft assembly so that rotation of the crankshaftassembly rotates the oil slinger for splashing lubricating oil from theoil sump, wherein at least a portion of the oil slinger is continuouslysubmerged in the lubricating oil contained in the oil sump as it isrotated by the crankshaft assembly.
 27. The device as claimed in claim26, wherein the oil slinger is generally disk shaped.
 28. The device asclaimed in claim 26, wherein the oil slinger comprises a shaped edgeportion suitable for at least one of increasing the amount of oilsplashed from the oil sump and directing oil splashed from the oil sumpat an angle to the disk.
 29. The device as claimed in claim 26, whereinthe oil slinger comprises a surface feature suitable for at least one ofincreasing the amount of oil splashed from the oil sump and directingoil splashed from the oil sump at an angle to the disk.
 30. The deviceas claimed in claim 26, wherein the oil slinger is coaxial with thecrankshaft assembly.
 31. The device as claimed in claim 26, wherein theoil slinger comprises an auger.
 32. The device as claimed in claim 26,wherein the oil slinger is capable of extending into lubricating oilcontained in the oil sump when the device is tilted at an angle tohorizontal.
 33. The device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the oilslinger comprises a sector of a disk.
 34. The device as claimed in claim33, wherein the sector rotates 360 degrees about the center of rotationof the crankshaft assembly so that the oil slinger is capable ofextending into lubricating oil contained in the oil sump when thecrankcase is tilted.
 35. A lubrication system, comprising: an oilslinger suitable for being coupled to a crankshaft assembly so thatrotation of the crankshaft assembly rotates the oil slinger forsplashing lubricating oil from an oil sump suitable for containinglubricating oil, wherein flow of the lubricating oil over the oilslinger as it passes through the oil sump is substantially laminar forinhibiting atomization of the lubricating oil.
 36. The lubricationsystem as claimed in claim 25, wherein the oil slinger comprises a disk,and wherein at least a portion of the disk is continuously submerged inthe lubricating oil contained in the oil sump as it is rotated by thecrankshaft assembly.
 37. The lubrication system as claimed in claim 35,wherein the oil slinger comprises a shaped edge portion suitable for atleast one of increasing the amount of oil splashed from the oil sump anddirecting oil splashed from the oil sump at an angle to the disk. 38.The lubrication system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the oil slingercomprises surface features suitable for at least one of increasing theamount of oil splashed from the oil sump and directing oil splashed fromthe oil sump at an angle to the disk.
 39. The lubrication system asclaimed in claim 35, wherein the oil slinger comprises an auger.
 40. Thelubrication system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the oil slingercomprises a sector of a disk.
 41. The lubrication system as claimed inclaim 40, wherein the sector rotates 360 degrees about the center ofrotation of the crankshaft assembly so that the oil slinger is capableof extending into lubricating oil contained in the oil sump when thecrankcase is tilted.